Fish fry – Carry the Load

I think this is going to be my new catchphrase from now on; Love, Pray, Fish

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Bible Gateway 2020)

The World we live in is consumed with so much hate right now, we have people killing each other, we have riots, we have violent protests, Antifa, terrorist groups, and the Corona virus. The World is a scary place right now. However, instead of hating, we should love one another, like Jesus told his disciples.

I got up around 530 in the morning the other day and I went fishing, on the way to my favorite fishing spot, I admired a beautiful sunrise. I was also able to pray and share my thoughts and concerns with God and take in God’s beautiful World he created to include eight deer, what I found interesting was that they were so spread out. There was one group of three and the other five were scattered out. I could not believe how many deer I kept seeing. I arrived at the ponds and jumped into a boat, the fog was lifting off the pond, it was so beautiful, and it gave me a peaceful calming. I didn’t’ have a care in the world while I was fishing. It was a great place to escape from the crazy world we live in.

God’s Beautiful Work

Pond relection

Boat

God’s Country

Feeding the Family

Fish Fry

Later that day, I had a Pastoral Committee meeting and I told them I went fishing and I didn’t have a care in the world at that time, and one of them said “I wouldn’t go as far as saying that.”

But, what do we really have to worry about? Yes we live in a sinful world that is being taken over by sin right now, like I stated above, we have the Corona virus running rampant, there are people killing each other, we have violent protesting, and riots, people are blocking the roads, it’s just crazy out there in the World, but what is the ultimate goal of a person of faith, that believes that Jesus died for their sins and we are saved through God’s grace? It’s to meet our maker in Heaven, right! I’m not saying I want to get the Corona virus, but as followers of Christ, what do we really have to fear? Yes, we are persecuted for being different, Yes, we are different, and we have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. There is a common thread here, being different whether it is what color of skin we have or what country we are from. So, love like Jesus, pray and give it to God, and fish. That is what I did. I was able to relax and forget about all my worries and I fed my family in the process.

Back in the day I used to watch Saturday Night Live, back in the day I used to get in a lot of trouble on a Saturday night too, especially in a small town with not much to do. But last Saturday night we had a wholesome fun night. We had what our church calls a 4:19, Matthew 4;19 says “And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples – letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

It was a fun night full of fellowship. We had a fish fry and desert auction to raise money for our Youth Group to go to Mexico and build a Church for less fortunate people that don’t have a place to worship God at.

Not only did we get to eat fried catfish, hushpuppies, and fried pickles, we also got to bid on desert and that stole the show. I played the role of bidder, jacking up the prices. I made sure I had the funds available to cover in case I won the bid, but there were a few times I backed out of 100 dollar banana pudding. The banana pudding is really good and it was for a good cause. It was a success and we had a good time, as opposed to running the streets in a small town with one movie theater, and not too much else to do.

Not only did we have an awesome Saturday night, Sunday morning turned out pretty good too. Sunday morning the Holy Spirit was stirring in Church in full force. Three young men were baptized and saved and another joined the Church, God has BIG things planned for our Church and I am glad I am a part of it. Stay tuned for more fund raisers and to find out how the Youth Group Church building goes and if we can manage to top this last weekend.